Open Letter to Akwa Ibom APC
Dear APC,
Please, permit me to use this platform to celebrate this great party – the All Progressive Congress. After 61 years as a nation, which we celebrated on 0ctober 1, 2021 amidst so much insecurity and other diverse areas of anxiety as a nation, Nigerians must remain assured that a very bright future still lies ahead as long as there is sincerity of purpose and the will to be just and equitable from all Nigerians.
Seeing a new year like this, there is a reason for recollections, reflections and as a party, the All Progressive Congress in Akwa Ibom State in particular and Nigeria in general to should count its blessings while also taking a closer look at how to build in strength from our weaknesses as a party and as a Nation. May our dear country continue to thrive.
We must thank God for the gift of life and for keeping the country together despite the enormous atrocities being committed by criminals of various descriptions. Through the activities of these of blood-letting bandits and criminals, many fellow citizens have been pushed into untimely death and the loss of properties worth billions. It is truly a miracle of some sorts that in spite of all these anomalies, we are still here to mark another year as a nation.
Let me remind us that as section of the largest black nation in the world of the peace we have always enjoyed as a continent. If you are familiar with biblical stories, when Joseph’s dream was threatened, God arranged for his free ticket to Africa where he lived to fulfill his dream. You can find this story in Genesis chapter 37 and 40.
Having said that, let me congratulate our great party at the national and the on the successful congresses held across the Wards, Chapters and to States. Even with the few scuffles here and there, there is no doubt that our party is growing strong each new day. The few skirmishes is very much a part of our progress. The National leadership of our party ably led by His Excellency Governor Bunu, the Executive Governor of Yobe State and His Excellency Senator JJ Akpan Udoedehe (PhD) is placing the party on a very sound footing which will enable the party to face the many battles of the future. Let me also extend my sincere greetings and congratulations to the leaders of this great party in Okon Ward ably led by Mr. Atu Udotong (Ward Chairman), Comrade Etieno Tom – (Chapter Chairman of APC in Essien Udim) and Elder Augustine Ekanem in the State.
Significantly, to also congratulate the leaders of this great party in Essien Udim, Senator John James Akpan Udoedehe (PhD), the former two-term governor of Akwa Ibom State, minority leader of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the current Minister for the Niger Delta Affairs – His Excellency, Chief (Dr) Godswill Obot Akpabio CON. GOA is a man any Annang man, Essien Udim man and indeed Akwa Ibom citizen will be proud of any day and time. We are still yet to finished counting the many road projects completed during your reign as governor in Akwa Ibom State. My appreciation also goes to our leaders like Chief Don Etiebet, a former minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bishop Samuel Akpan, a reputable man of God, Senator Ita Enang (Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs), the present out-going state executives of our party ably led Dr. Ita Udosen. Rt. Hon. Nse Effiong Ntuen, a Boss and former Chairman of Essien Udim and State House member. Sir, it is important to note that you were the only minority Member of the State House of Assembly to served as a Speaker. Sir Ibanga Akpabio a former commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, Abom Ephraim Okon (Abom Annang), the Country Representative of the Population Media Centre- Nigeria, National President of Nto Annang Foundation and Chairman of Annang Community in Abuja, Nigeria. Okon is a Community Leader, the leader of the APC in Okon Ward and Essien Udim Local Government Area and a great philanthropist that God has used in transforming the lives of many Nigerians Abom, may God bless you for your good works. Worthy of mention too is the former Chapter Chairman of the party Obong Friday Michael and all others too numerous to mention for the great work they are doing towards moving our great party forward in Akwa Awasi Ibom State.
My dear leaders, it was the Late Nelson Mandela of South Africa who once said that “the real makers of history are the ordinary men and women of a country. Their participation in every decision about the future is the only guarantee of true democracy, peace, success and freedom”. It was also a great American politician who said that democracy is the government of the people, for the people and by the people. It is the people that bears the pipe and we must allow the people to dictate the tone. This reminds me of our current slogan obviously shows that our party, the “APC” belongs to the people. This party belongs to me, you and us! APC in my view is a platform to showcase integrity, accountability, fairness, independency, and transparency. I wish that our people in Akwa Ibom State will toe this line and make our party truly that of the people. This for me is the roadmap to the Hill Top Mansion in 2023.
Now to the issues arising from the concluded Wards, Chapters and States congresses. I congratulate those of us that came out successfully from the Wards, Chapters and to the States. You must know that your victory did not come because you were the best candidates for the job, but because among the best hands, your record shows exceptional abilities. For those of you in Akwa Ibom State, one of such abilities, I will like to state here is that we the people have seen you as those that will lead this party to the Government House in Akwa Ibom State in 2023.
It is important to note that there is a huge vacuum that was created in our dear state after the end of the Godswill Obot Akpabio’s administration. Our dear governor, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel has done his best which to most of us in Akwa Ibom State is not enough. With due respect to the present government in Akwa Ibom State, it is significant to note that our dear state of Akwa Awasi Ibom today needs a man that can see growth not in terms of volumes but in terms of indices. We do not want a government that operates only on the media houses. We need a man that has the ability to optimally manage the income of our state to grow the state in terms of indices. The person that this cap fits is here in this great party. I will not mention his name yet. That man, I feel will be able to strategically manage, plan and optimize the income of our dear state to touch the diverse sectors that needs urgent attention. First of all, Akwa Ibom receives the highest allocation from the Federation Account, but very unfortunately, this has yet to add positively to the wellbeing of the people. This sadly should not be our story.
My dear Leaders, I am aware that in democracy it is always difficult to manage different diverse interests that will arise; but let us not forget what is written in Proverbs 22:1. Please, find time and check what that verse of the Holy Book says (NIV).
Now to those that have contrary opinions in the fold, there are channels established by the party for settlement of disagreements. Please, I urge you all make good use of this mediums and get your grievances sorted immediately and join the train to victory. We can only take over the Hill Top Mansion when we are in one accord. Do not stay aside. Please.
For the APC family in Akwa Ibom State, it is time to start the real work. The work to repeat that feat established by our great party in Kwara State in the last general elections where a sitting Senator (Senate President), Governor and others were sent packing from their different offices. It was not angels that came down from heaven to make that possible. Kwarans decided to take their destiny in their hands. Let us use our symbol – “The Broom” for what it is in Akwa Ibom State. We can only achieve this when out house is not divided. Let’s close our ranks. My dear APC family in Akwa Ibom State, we do not have any other party to run to except this one. Whether you are in Buhari vanguards, BAT-Supporters, Osibanjo Women Group, AAC, Support Group or Nigeria Democratic Forum, we have a common goal and that’s 2023 success. Occupying the Hill Top mansion come 2023 is a task that must be done, and this can only be realise in an atmosphere of understanding, peace, love, collaboration and collective responsibility
For those of us occupying one office or the other at the national level, it is very true that democracy is nothing but a game of numbers, but in my opinion, numbers are a mere figment, performance is the road map to victory and sustenance. Positively deliver in your different offices and make our party proud in the State. Let your performance, integrity and character be your watch word. We must rise up willingly and face our many problems. Our leaders must approach their duties with humility. The time is now for our politicians to sort things out for our dear nation. You must work to Save our fledgling democracy. We must make a decision not to be stunted by ineptitude, or be distracted by power games and the pursuit of material comfort at the detriment of the people.
On my part, as a passionate and patriotic Nigerian and a fervent supporter of APC and the Buhari led Administration, I promise that I’ll leave no stone unturn in making my great party successful in the coming general elections in 2023. I’ll start in my unit.
To my party leaders at the national level, it is significant for us to note my response to some of the questions which most of us confronted with daily like, why is Nigeria still classified as third world country with all she is blessed with. Why is Nigeria still seen a one of the world’s poorest economies etc. I give two answers:
1. THE MEDIA
The we do not control the media. Those that controls the media shows what they wish to show. Based on inform@aation sent out through the media, people see Nigeria in the past and not in the present. Though there are a number of challenges and setbacks which is applicable in every economy, Nigeria today is not as portrayed in the media.
2. MANAGEMENT
Management is where I will dwell most. I accept with all amount of humility that we lack managers. I mean economic managers. We have very smart and intelligent people. Doing so well in the private sector within and outside Nigeria. But bring them to the public sector, they fail to employ their wealth of wisdom effectively to manage the economy. Because our political office seekers goes there to make wealth and not to serve and at the end, they appoint “intellectuals” who will help them harness wealth instead of putting their intelligence to proper management of the economy for the totality of the masses.
This Our first class brains are busy being used by their payers to manipulate figures. Our political office holders are busy closing on monitoring agencies so as not deliver good governance.
In my view, this generation is one of the luckiest and our luck is quite extraordinary. The emergence of the APC led government feels like what India, the great Jewel of the British Empire must have felt in 1948, and the joy that former Gold Coast – Ghana felt years later in 1957.
There is no doubt where we are going. Our party – the APC must see herself as the messiah Nigeria has been waiting for. Let us make this happen for posterity. Under this Buhari administration within the few years left for her, still enjoy the chance to make Nigeria to re-emerge as a leading nation among the comity of nations, but this will never happen if our leaders do not sit-up.
For Nigerians, we must learn the art of patience and not expect instant miracles. China had their chance but was derailed by inter-ehtnic political posturing and civil unrest in addition to wars and thus had to wait for another five hundred years for another chance. God forbid that for Nigeria.
2022 presents us with another huge opportunity to reason together and face the reality that all is not well with us. We must be brave enough to confront our challenges together with sincerity of purpose and objectivity or else we risk the disintegration of the country; God forbid!
Our dear party must seek for ways of overhauling the present structure of governance in the country. This is because the present structure is badly skewed that there would always be people who feel left out and unjustly treated in the scheme of things. This is necessary to move our dear country away from the brink of failure that we have found ourselves.
Finally, we must therefore continually ask God in prayers for the unity and prosperity of the country as well as the security of lives and properties of the people since all things are possible with God. We must also pray for our leaders to not shy-away from addressing the varied issues which they seem not to found the will to address. Some of these issues are insecurity, mass unemployment, poverty, corruption, ethnicism, religious bigotry and extremism, lack of good health services, these issues are leading our dear country in the direction of disintegration. Evil is thriving in the land because most of those in positions of leadership and majority of the followers over the years have failed to do the needful.
Our political leaders must desist from playing the ethnic and religious games which is creating unhealthy rivalry in the polity.
GOD BLESS THE APC AND GOD BLESS NIGERIA!!!
Nse Victor
Public Affairs Commentator/APC Member
Writing from Uyo
